Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a population of over 95 million people. The agriculture and food sector in Ethiopia accounts for 45-55% of gross national income. It employs around 36% of the country’s working population, and agricultural and food trade generates up to 38% of national exports.

Agricultural production focuses on the following food crops: wheat, barley, maize, sorghum and sweet potato.

27-56% of the food energy consumed in Ethiopia comes from crops that are not native to the region. Most of these plants’ diversity is found elsewhere around the planet.

Ethiopia ratified the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) in 2003, joining 142 other contracting parties in commitment to a global system. Additionally, Ethiopia has pledged USD 50,000 to the Crop Trust Endowment Fund.